Peterson likes Vick; Spielman wants QB in draft and free agency

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is lashing out his support for a quarterback again. This time it’s not Matt Cassel.

Peterson tweeted out his support for unrestricted free agent Michael Vick. The Eagles reportedly aren’t interested in keeping him as a backup quarterback and Peterson thinks Vick can do more than just start here.

Vick, 33, spent the last five seasons with the Eagles and failed to start an entire season in that span because of to injuries. He was replaced by Nick Foles last season and played only seven games. None of those are good signs, even for a temporary starting quarterback.

Peterson said after the season that he wants Cassel back as a starter next season. Christian Ponder patiently waits by the phone for his endorsement.

Spielman weighs in

Meanwhile, Vikings GM Rick Spielman was on ESPN radio this afternoon with Colin Cowherd, and was asked if the Vikings monitor a draft prospect's Twitter.

"We evaluate these college players coming out, we look at all their social media sites," Spielman said. "It gives you an opportunity to dig in further. ... If there are questionable things on the Twitter account, we can ask them if that’s how they want to represent themselves, or our organization going forward."

"Sometimes, they don’t think anyone’s going to see it or that it matters. ... A couple of guys tweeted 22,000 times. I mean how are you going to get time to study the playbook?"

Cowherd asked Spielman about the Vikings quarterback situation, starting with whether he felt bringing in someone like Vick would be a distraction because it creates a media circus.

"We can’t talk about Michael Vick because of tampering stuff," Spielman said. "In general, we’re always going to look at that, we went through that when Brett Favre was here … but we ended up getting to the NFC championship game. A lot of it has to do with how your coaches feel about it … and 'Can he handle it and help you win ballgames.'"

Speilman reiterated the team would like to draft a young quarterback and also sign a quarterback in free agency. And answered the first quarterback section by saying, "We’re looking defense I can tell you that. We have to improve on the defensive side of the ball. The QB scenario will work itself out. We don’t play any games next week. We’re not going to force the issue."

"We’ll be able to find a young quarterback in this draft, because there’s enough depth. But we’re also going to have to look at one in free agency as well."